The Swiss dialect rapper and presenter Knackeboul is performing as the support act for Herbert Grönemeyer's stadium tour. In this interview, he explains how this came about and why he never gets bored.
You're performing as the support act for Herbert Grönemeyer's stadium tour!
It's incredible, such wonderful things are happening in my life. I'm very happy to be able to present my art in Germany. A dream come true!
How did it come about?
I was in Uganda for the organization "Viva con Agua" and performed in front of a local audience. Herbert Grönemeyer's daughter Marie was also there, thought my performance was great and told her father about me. And suddenly I was asked if I wanted to support Herbert Grönemeyer.
Are you excited before such big gigs?
There are two sides to it. On the one hand, it's really nice to be able to perform in front of so many people in the stadium, but on the other hand, I'm all alone on stage with my loop device "Gudrun". It's a lot of pressure, people aren't at these concerts because of me. I have to prove myself.
Do you have a remedy for the nervousness?
I try to win the audience's sympathy very quickly. Interaction is important, you want to create a living room atmosphere. Then everything is easy.
Do you perform your program in German dialect or High German?
I beatbox and speak to people in High German. I will also try to freestyle in High German. That's relatively demanding. But the songs will be performed in the original language.
You left Joiz over a year ago. Do you miss it?
No, not really. I was there for four years and it was a great time. But it was time for something new, I don't like to get stuck. I'm doing so many different things at the moment, including a new German format, which I can't reveal yet. It's going to be a TV show about Europe, so I can travel a lot.
You're also writing a book at the moment. What is it about?
I'm going to give a picture of the mood from the perspective of a young Swiss man. He is a citizen of the world who is enjoying his life, growing up and also becoming more skeptical.
What is your job title?
That's a good question. I often say that I'm an entertainer. That sounds a bit old, but it includes music and entertainment. It's difficult, I'm open to suggestions.
Isn't it getting too much for you with all the engagements?
It's a lot at the moment, with the Grönemeyer tour and the TV production, I'm fully booked until the end of the year. But in 2017 I'm going to take a step back, write a book and record a new album.
KNACKEBOUL / HERBERT GRÖNEMEYER
10.06.16, AFG Arena St. Gallen
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